GVA paves way for Redrow Birmingham development

The Midlands office of leading real estate specialist, GVA has secured a buyer and planning consent for one of Birmingham’s most sought-after residential development sites.

Members of GVA’s Land and Development team secured the sale of an 11.5 acre former playing field to national housebuilder Redrow.

The site, which is just off Knightlow Road in the affluent suburb of Harborne, has remained unused for over a decade.

GVA’s Planning, Development and Regeneration team successfully led Redrow’s planning application for 63 homes and a major area of on-site public open space. The development will also fund improvements to pitches and changing rooms at the nearby Senneleys Park.

Nick Hardy, Planning Director at GVA, said: “The site has exceptional qualities which make it a highly desirable location for new homes. At the same time the site’s landscape, ecology and relationship with the existing community have strongly influenced the layout of the scheme and the design of the proposed housing.

“By working closely with Birmingham City Council we have struck a strong balance between the need to provide high quality family housing to meet identified needs, the delivery of about five acres of new public open space, and the protection of the site’s trees and habitat value.”

The application was approved by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee at the first hearing without any need for an appeal.

Danny Cheal, Redrow Homes said: “We’re naturally exceedingly pleased that we have been able to secure this consent and have completed the acquisition of what will become a key part of the local community.

“With GVA’s assistance we have been able to ensure that we are delivering a development of high quality homes that are in keeping with the local area in terms of density and delivery while ensuring that there are sufficient homes to meet demand in one of Birmingham’s most desirable suburbs.”

The site is just two miles to the west of Birmingham City Centre and close to the A456 Hagley Road, one of the city’s main arterial routes, with a number of bus routes close by.

Mark Birks, Director in GVA’s Land and Development team, said: “The site has long been identified as one of Birmingham’s leading residential opportunities, enhanced significantly by its location just a mile from Harborne High Street and a 15 minute drive from Birmingham city centre.

“With a growing interest in Birmingham as an inward investment location and an existing requirement to deliver a significant level of new housing by 2030, we need to ensure that we are providing boosts to existing communities through well thought-out and carefully planned development such as this.”

GVA acted for landowners the Birmingham Oratory in the disposal of the site, with the funds raised from the sale to go towards continuing their charitable works and ensuring the upkeep of their existing Grade 1 and 2* listed properties.

For more information on the Land and Development team, please contact Mark Birks on 0121 609 8463 or mark.birks@gva.co.uk.

For more information on the Planning, Development and Regeneration team please contact Nick Hardy on 0121 609 8258 or nick.hardy@gva.co.uk